SOFT TISSUE LOADS AT THE HUMAN KNEE DURING RUNNING AND CUTTING MANOEUVRES

Abstract

Tensile forces on the ACL increase when the knee is in an extended posture and required to accommodate applied moments in flexion, varus, valgus and/or internal rotation. However, the loading of knee joint support structures during sporting actions that are related to non-contact injuries are largely unknown. We studied external loading of the knee during running, side-stepping and cross-over cutting in 10 male subjects under both pre-planned and unanticipated conditions. Soft tissue structures of the knee were exposed to high FE, VV and IE applied moments during the cutting tasks, especially when performed in the unanticipated condition. Whilst muscle activation could accommodate some of this applied load, soft tissue structures were particularly vulnerable during the cross-over cut task where the residual loads were high.